The project “Mirage Island,” a collaboration between PONDEDGE, farm, and VOID, has been completed in front of the Water Plaza at the 2025 Japan International Expo (Osaka-Kansai Expo).
The project utilizes reusable resin materials and large 3D printers to showcase new sustainability possibilities in the field of architecture. Currently, the facility’s reuse project is underway, and partners are being recruited to co-conceive new uses and collaborate on implementation.
About “Mirage Island”
This is a toilet facility built within the plaza of the expo site. In an environment filled with iconic buildings, it is designed to blend into the background. Its features include decorative panels made of 3D-printed polycarbonate, which reflect and transmit the surrounding crowds, scenery, and light, always presenting a different appearance. While it integrates into the environment, it also creates a new landscape. It is like a mirage that will disappear after the expo, standing only during the event.
3D-Printed Panels Using Circular Materials
In response to one of the expo’s themes, “A Testing Ground for Future Societies,” we challenged ourselves to use large 3D-printed panels made from reusable resin materials for construction. This initiative aims to explore the possibilities of sustainable resource circulation and propose new architectural methods that harmonize with the environment. Utilizing the diverse production characteristics of 3D printing, we installed panels of various sizes around the plaza. Our goal is not only to promote sustainability but also to create designs that showcase the beauty of materials.
This facility aims to propose a new form of architecture that can change according to the environment and human activities. With the flexibility of 3D printing to manufacture and configure panels of different sizes and shapes, it promotes resource recycling while also creating spaces that vary with use and location. Our goal is to create a sustainable urban environment model that can continue to be utilized even after the expo.
@ 3D Printing Insights
I am Xu Fanglei, a design professional, PhD, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK, focusing on industrial design, additive manufacturing, and business models. Here, I will use my expertise and experience to take you deep into the world of 3D printing, sharing the latest industry trends, interpreting cutting-edge technologies, and discussing commercial applications.
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